If a team is above the Cavs in playoffs, use Cavs losses + opponents wins + tie-breakers instead.

If a team is below the Cavs in lottery ranking, use Cavs wins + opponents losses + tie-breakers instead.

The first two are for playoff contention, if you can call it that. The other two are for lottery chances. Which side will you choose?

Games Left: 1

The playoffs:
<table><tbody border="0.5"><tr><th>Teams</th><th>Rankings</th><th>Magic Numbers</th></tr><tr><td>Detroit
</td><td>10</td><td>Better</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey
</td><td>11</td><td>Luck</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto
</td><td>12</td><td>Next</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland
</td><td>13</td><td>Year :gap:
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Translation: So, no more playoffs. I'll keep this up so at least there's a table available for next year (and the year after). Don't forget about this post, since the Cavs WILL be in the playoffs sooner or later (Dan Gilbert's paying for it with Kyrie, Baron's salary, Walton's salary, and the Lakers draft pick).

And the lottery:
<table><tbody border="0.5"><tr><th>Teams</th><th>Rankings</th><th>Magic Numbers</th></tr><tr><td>New Orleans
</td><td>3</td><td>It
</td></tr><tr><td>Cleveland
</td><td>3</td><td>Could've</td></tr><tr><td>Sacramento
</td><td>5</td><td>Been
</td></tr><tr><td>New Jersey
</td><td>5</td><td>Much
</td></tr><tr><td>Toronto
</td><td>7</td><td>Worse</td></tr></tbody></table>
Translation: So, I'll just keep this here for next year, so if it's okay, I'd appreciate no permanent lock since I also do chances for good playoff spots above.
Sacramento's Magic Number: 0
They're gone. Better luck next year... so we can steal your pick instead.

Laker's Games Left: 1Laker's Magic Number: 0 (we officially have the Laker's pick this year, be bad next year so we can profit)
Lakers Pick before toss: 25th or 24th

After tonight there is no denying the Cavaliers are committed to the tank. Just one game to go at Chicago. The Bulls have played their starters normal minutes against the Pacers tonight, so hopefully they do again tomorrow as they try to work D-Rose back into the starting lineup. A lose puts us no worse then a tie for 3rd, a win is unspeakable.

We still don't know if the Lakers will sit their starters tomorrow against Sacramento. The Rockets will be sitting several key players against the Hornets who will not be playing Gordon. Let's hope after tomorrow we sit in sole possession of 3rd.

Houston's DNP for tomorrow:

Click to expand...

You did a good job with the analysis. Hopefully you're up for it again next year (maybe on the other end). Thank you for everything.
------------------------

Just one more game.

Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012 @ 10:40 AM - Done for the year, so ya when it matters next year.

Does anyone know the % if we end up with the worst record to receive the first pick. And so on...

Click to expand...

As of 2008, with 30 NBA teams, 16 qualify for the playoffs and the remaining 14 teams are entered in the draft lottery. These 14 teams are ranked in reverse order of their regular season record and are assigned the following number of chances

Re: The Cleveland Cavaliers Magic Number Thread for Most Ping Pong Balls in May 2011.

Looking right now at how this year's draft might be, it doesn't matter a ton to me if the Cavs don't get the #1 pick. I just at least want a top 3 pick since the talent level should be fairly even. That could change though depending on who of the underclassmen end up declaring.

Talking lottery pick with more than half the season to go brings back memories.

Looking right now at how this year's draft might be, it doesn't matter a ton to me if the Cavs don't get the #1 pick. I just at least want a top 3 pick since the talent level should be fairly even. That could change though depending on who of the underclassmen end up declaring.

Talking lottery pick with more than half the season to go brings back memories.

Click to expand...

I agree. The talent in the top end of this draft is pretty much equal with the first three or four picks. I would love to see us pick up another first rounder, even if it is later though. I think the talent is pretty much on par from picks 15-30 also.

I agree. The talent in the top end of this draft is pretty much equal with the first three or four picks. I would love to see us pick up another first rounder, even if it is later though. I think the talent is pretty much on par from picks 15-30 also.

Re: The Cleveland Cavaliers Magic Number Thread for Most Ping Pong Balls in May 2011.

Thank you for this thread. I finally have something to look forward to this season. I understand though how the OP felt like he was dying inside to start this thread. I feel the same every time I watch a game.

So as perverse as it sounds.....(gulp) LOSE CAVS LOSE! Get those ping-pong balls! GO IN THE TANK!